State senators from across Oklahoma will be spending time in local
classrooms—the visits are part of a nonpartisan program called
America’s Legislators Back to School, sponsored each year
by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). The program
is officially kicked off during the third week of September and
continues throughout the school year.

The program gives children and teens an opportunity to meet an
elected official and find out first hand exactly what a legislator
does, how laws are made, and the importance of becoming an involved
citizen. The goal is to encourage more young people to vote when
they become 18, and to participate in the political process by volunteering
or possibly running for office some day.

NCSL and the Oklahoma State Senate provide material for the students
to help them learn more about state government and how the legislative
process works. Younger children receive workbooks with fun facts
and simple word puzzles, while older students are given more in-depth
material.